Goal for St. Peter's Prep basketball team: Doing as well as the guys who graduated last spring

Ian C. Bates/The Jersey JournalSt. Peter's Prep coach Todd Decker enters his first season as the program's head coach, after five years as an assistant under Mike Kelly.

Todd Decker isn't forcing any sweeping changes at St. Peter's Prep. After all, he was a part of the Marauders' run of four straight county championships.

But Prep's first-year basketball coach has made some noticeable interior design additions at Grand and Warren, quickly redecorating the basketball office and area outside the team's locker room with collages of press clippings and photos from recent seasons.

For a team short on experience, the memorabilia serves as a constant reminder of the school's recent hoops excellence and the standard that has been set.

"Really not too much is going to change around here," said Decker, an assistant under former coach Mike Kelly for five years. "Because of the success that they had the last five years here -- coach (Kelly) kind of reinvented Prep basketball to a degree -- we realized that success is attainable, and we know what we have to do to get it."

Decker's unit gets its season underway tomorrow at Hoboken at 7 p.m. After graduating all five starters from last year's 23-6 squad, the energetic coach will rely on a cast of former role players and an influx of transfers to lead the way.

"I'm just really happy that I finally get to showcase my talent and I'm happy that they let me," said senior forward Tyrone O'Garro, who transferred this year from St. Patrick.

The 6-foot-6 O'Garro saw limited time with the Union County powerhouse last season, but has committed to Monmouth University. He's joined by former St. Patrick teammate Trevis Wyche, a 6-foot point guard.

"He's going to be a difference-maker for us," Decker said of Wyche, Prep's only transfer required to sit out the first 30 days of the season.

Forward Jordan Arthur is also back in Jersey City after spending his sophomore year at Newark Tech. The 6-foot-8 junior is drawing interest from Atlantic 10 and Big East schools and will anchor the Marauder defense. Sophomore guard Austin White, formerly of Seton Hall Prep, rounds out the team's new additions.

Tre Bell, a junior guard and sixth man on last year's team, will not only help fill out Decker's starting lineup, but also provide a veteran presence.

"I know, with (my) varsity experience, I'm going to have to push these guys more," said Bell, a cornerback on the Prep football team. "I hope these guys, and I know they are, grasp that feel of winning another county championship and getting that ring for a state championship."

Decker, a former guard at The College of New Jersey, was named head coach in June when Kelly was promoted to the rank of captain in the Jersey City Police Department.

"Coach (Kelly) and I worked very well together, where we kind of knew each other and he gave me a lot of freedom in certain areas," Decker said.

And by harking back to the program's recent history, Decker is laying the foundation for this season and beyond.

"It definitely shows the success that they had in the past, but also there's empty spots on the wall for what we're going to do in the future," said O'Garro.